Brilliant news that Tomas Soucek’s red card has been rescinded!
This may be the first step promised by David Moues a few weeks back in West Ham getting fairer treatment from the officials in the VAR room and the men in black who reckon we are a soft touch for many of their nonsense decisions.
It’s obvious – as clear as day – that Tomas is one of the most honest and decent pros we have in this country for years.
That he should have been a victim of an error such as Dean makes on a regular basis would have left a blot on his career of epically unfair proportions.
However, news that Dean has since received death threats – which may or may not be from West Ham supporters – is beyond the line.
Yes football is a religion to many and a passionate affair that demands heated responses but death threats – No – not on.
There will of course be those who reckon he’s lying. I don’t and believe that anybody who adopts such behaviour is a far inferior person to a referee that Dean believes himself to be …and that’s saying something!
However, one thing is certain – it’s time for this awful official to retire. Well past it! It’s time for that big decision little man.
Mike Dean was wrong to send off Soucek. The problem wasn’t that Dean was at fault. The problem is that the people who decide how referees should interpret these actions are totally inflexible. If Dean had decided that Soucek’s elbow, raised unnaturally and striking Mitrovic in the face, was not serious foul play – then he might well have been censured by his bosses because he had not taken the ‘appropriate’ action. Dean’s career might have finished there. No need to retire, but lower leagues beckon. No TV and no chance of bringing our elite referees group into disrepute.
Really very pleased that justice has prevailed. But anger is directed at the wrong man. Threats of violence or any nasty stuff has no place in any situation. Hope these people are caught and punished.
COYI
I totally agree Hugh. The ridiculous decision to send Soucek off at the weekend was awful. Mike Dean proved once again that it’s all about him. He is a shambles of a referee, one I will be glad to see the back of once he does the honorable thing, and retires from refereeing. That said, threats against him and, especially, his family are deplorable. I called him all the foulest of names when he got the red card out on Saturday and I still think he is something beginning with c, but to bring his family into this is as horrific as his mistake at the weekend. Any self respecting football or West Ham fans would not consider such things. The keyboard warriors (or cowards as I call them) are every bit a c that Mike himself is.
Great news that he has been free’d of a blemish, he has never been sent off in his career and it was a ridiculous decision. As for Dean completely agree anyone that sends death threats over something like this should be condemned and hopefully tracked down for the authorities to deal with. I don’t think Dean knew what to do and think this is more evidence that former players who perhaps have gone through referees qualifications should assist in the decision making process, to avoid so many poor decisions being made.
Not sure we should dilute the unacceptable reaction to Mike Dean’s error with the statement that he should retire. He made an error, he is human and I applaud anyone who’s prepared to put themselves in the cauldron of abuse that is a referee’s lot. Not sure why any of them do this tbh, the money isn’t that good and you are pilloried at all and any opportunity. There is absolutely no place for the level of abuse directed at referee’s and I hope there is enough detail for Dean to provide the authorities and get the culprits dealt with properly.
Two rescinded reds in a couple of weeks and a history of reds? I certainly respect your view Julian but for me that’s not good enough in a high stakes game. I think his time has come. not judging on one game my friend